-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Rafael Nadal will miss the U.S. Open after the reigning champion could n't recover in time from a right wrist injury .

The world No. 2 injured his wrist after Wimbledon and pulled out of the recent Masters events in Toronto and Cincinnati .

Due to make an announcement over the weekend about his participation at Flushing Meadows , that decision was pushed back to Monday and the Spaniard 's fans were ultimately left disappointed with the outcome .

`` I am very sorry to announce I wo n't be able to play at this year 's U.S. Open , '' the 28-year-old announced on his Facebook page . `` I am sure you understand that it is a very tough moment for me since it is a tournament I love and where I have great memories from fans , the night matches , so many things .

'' -LRB- There is -RRB- not much more I can do right now , other than accept the situation and , as always in my case , work hard in order to be able to compete at the highest level once I am back . ''

It 's not the first time Nadal wo n't be able to defend a grand slam title . He also skipped Wimbledon in 2009 , the year after his memorable triumph over Roger Federer at the All England Club , when his knees were the issue .

Injuries have been an ever present in the 14-time grand slam winner 's career , with those knees the biggest culprit .

But a hamstring injury hindered Nadal at the 2011 Australian Open -- when he was on the verge of capturing a fourth consecutive grand slam titles -- and in Melbourne seven months ago , back pain meant he was unable to perform at his best in the finale versus Stan Wawrinka .

His absence means Federer will be bumped up to No. 2 in the seedings , only behind Novak Djokovic .

Federer has been the hottest player this summer , reaching the final in Toronto and winning Cincinnati , and without his nemesis at the U.S. Open , the Swiss ' chances of landing a record-extending 18th major have now improved .

Nadal is the highest profile casualty of the U.S. Open , though 2009 champion Juan Martin del Potro also withdrew with a wrist injury .

The tournament begins next Monday .

@highlight

Rafael Nadal says he will miss the U.S. Open because of a wrist injury

@highlight

It 's not the first time the Spaniard will be unable to defend a grand slam title

@highlight

Nadal suffered injury heartache in the year 's first major , hampered by a bad back

@highlight

Roger Federer will now be the tournament 's second seed after Novak Djokovic